THE ISSUE: Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s failure to appear at an anti-U.S. rally in Najaf.

The followers of Muqtada al-Sadr have killed more Americans than those of al Qaeda (“Mookie Behind the Curtain,” Editorial, April 11).

Sadr should have been President Bush’s next target after Saddam Hussein, and he should be Bush’s chief target now, not Osama bin Laden

And don’t call Sadr “Mookie” around here.

That nickname forever belongs to ex-Met center-fielder William “Mookie” Wilson. Even a Yankee fan like me should be offended by the comparison.

Michael PacholekEast Brunswick, N.J.

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Sadr’s protest in Iraq can be compared to the recent D.C. protests, which were also calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

There was not a single sign with the image of Che Guevara, as compared to the mass-produced signs handed out by the A.N.S.W.E.R. coalition.

There was a sea of Iraqi flags, as compared to the United for Peace and Justice march, where U.S. flags were mocked and Palestinian flags were common.

Were the D.C. marches run by leaders who are anti-war or anti-American?

An Internet search of the names Richard Becker or Leslie Cagan, along with the word “communist,” will provide the answer. Perhaps we can trade them for Sadr.

Raoul DemingChester Springs, Pa.

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Maybe Sadr fears assassination or arrest if he does appear and has no desire to spend the rest of his life at Gitmo.

Could it be that there was no violent response from the largely Shiite Iraqi Army units because they agreed with the sentiments? Or that those units would treat a similar Sunni demonstration a little less gently?

Maybe the Iraqi people don’t appreciate the deaths, the refugees and the daily dangers and deprivations since we invaded.

Since democracy is doing so well in Iraq, maybe now is the time to have a referendum there on whether we should stay or leave.

But there will be no such vote, since the result would surely reinforce the feelings of that march – that the U.S. occupier is unwanted.